D.S.A. Candidate Backed by Mayor Wins Election for Assembly Seat

Diana Moreno will serve out the remainder of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's term in the New York State Assembly.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Diana Moreno, an immigrant organizer, won a special election to serve out the remainder of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's term in the New York State Assembly. Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, lent his support to Moreno's campaign, helping her raise funds and turn out voters in the diverse district in Astoria and Long Island City, Queens. Moreno, who had never run for public office before, defeated two other left-leaning candidates to claim the seat.

Why it matters

Moreno's victory offers a preview of how Mamdani may use his power as mayor to influence state and congressional races across New York City. Like Mamdani, Moreno is a young immigrant committed to the Democratic Socialists of America's growth and policy priorities, including government-funded child care and stronger protections for tenants and immigrants.

The details

Moreno, 38, served in D.S.A. leadership and shares Mamdani's policy commitments. She was also loyal to Mamdani at a time when most Democrats and even some socialists treated his mayoral ambitions as unlikely. Moreno vowed to be one of Mamdani's "unwavering allies" in Albany as he pushes an ambitious agenda, including early components of his child care plan and tax increases.

  • On Tuesday, February 4, 2026, Diana Moreno won a special election to serve out Zohran Mamdani's term in the New York State Assembly.

The players

Diana Moreno

A 38-year-old immigrant organizer who had never run for public office before but won a special election to serve out Zohran Mamdani's term in the New York State Assembly. Moreno is committed to the Democratic Socialists of America's growth and policy priorities.

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, who previously served in the New York State Assembly. Mamdani lent his support to Moreno's campaign, helping her raise funds and turn out voters in the diverse district.

Rana Abdelhamid

A Muslim community organizer who founded a group to train women in self-defense, and ran against Moreno in the special election for the Assembly seat.

Mary Jobaida

Another left-leaning candidate who ran against Moreno in the special election for the Assembly seat.

Nydia M. Velázquez

A U.S. Representative who backed Rana Abdelhamid in the special election, clashing with Mayor Mamdani over who should succeed him in the Assembly.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is the place where we get to show the world what the alternative to fascism is, which is democratic socialism.”

— Diana Moreno

“There's no question that we have to protect our immigrant neighbors. It's a human rights emergency.”

— Diana Moreno

What’s next

Moreno will have to defend her new Assembly seat in this year's regularly scheduled elections, beginning with the Democratic primary in June.

The takeaway

Moreno's victory, backed by the popular Mayor Mamdani, demonstrates the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America in New York City politics and their ability to help elect like-minded candidates to state and local offices.